“Faith & Obedience”

CD#93

 

Have you ever noticed how hard it is for some people to be “obedient”? We all have different strengths and different weakness. “Obey” is something the flesh want to avoid unless it’s what it wants to do or accomplish! Some might say that problem is only with children and not adults. I would argue with that point simply from hearing the vows, wedding vows of today. In most weddings today you either have new vows or the word “obey” is left off from love & honor.

In today’s study let’s look at what God Almighty has to say about obedience. Firstly let me quickly add that obedience must come from the inside, from the heart. Later on we’ll see where some had a “form” of obedience from the outside. In that case Jesus gave them strong warning of taking care of the inside.

Obedience is a battle that is won or lost in our minds and our hearts. Satan wants to cause to doubt God and lead us to disobedience. Let’s document that from our instruction manual:

 

• 2 Corinthians 10:3 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:”
• 2 Corinthians 10:4 says, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

 

You and I can not ever be “obedient” on our on strength. So many times in my past I have lost a battle and in my mind I said, “I won’t” do that again. Time past and before I knew it the enemy attacked and I failed again. Our Father knows we’re weak and He has made a way for us to walk and live in victory! Our weapons through God our Father are “mighty”. Mighty was translated from the Greek word “dunatos”  (doo-nat-os’) meaning powerful or capable, it’s from the prim meaning to be able or possible. All things are possible by God “if” we only believe and exercise our faith! “Pulling down” was translated from the Greek word “kathairesis” (kath-ah’ee-res-is) meaning demolition; fig. Extinction! Whatever strong holds Satan has in your life with you exercising your faith it can become extinct! Next verse shows us more:

 

• 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

 

Imaginations of our heart will either lead us toward Christ or take us away from Him. “Imaginations” was translated from the Greek word “logismos” (log-is-mos’) meaning computation or reasoning.

Q. Why should we worry about every thought being under obedience to the Lord?

A. We have a in depth study available on tape and on paper “Thoughts-Speech-Actions Tape #80. Just to keep with the topic of today I’ll say that our thoughts feed our mouths which controls our actions tomorrow!

Watch out for a disobedient thought today because it is sowing the seed for a disobedient action tomorrow! What we think determines who we are and what we do:

 

• Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”

 

The first half of this verse is what we’re keying upon. A person may talk one way in front of you but what’s in their heart will ultimately determine their actions. We’re just looking at the building blocks of the foundation of being obedient to our Father in Heaven!

Satan attacks us in many different ways but he attacks from the outside to get to the inside. I’m simply saying that whatever comes against you he is using that attack to get into you mind, your heart. That’s why Christ taught:

 

• John 14:15 says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
• John 14:23 says, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

 

God Almighty doesn’t want only our sacrifices He wants our love. When we love Him enough to follow His Word then look at what happens. “We will come unto him and make our abode with him”, God Almighty makes His home with us. Jesus Christ was the Word made flesh and He is written in our hearts and with obedience we have the Comforter living inside of us! Obedience from us is far better and more pleasing to our Father in Heaven:

 

• 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
• 1 Samuel 15:23 says, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

 

In this place in Samuel God is dealing with King Saul but God is no respector of persons. We can learn from others mistakes and successes if we’ll only take the time to study. Just because Saul was God’s chosen person to be Israel’s king didn’t have him locked as a sure thing. You and I are what we are by God’s grace. If we choose to leave that grace then we lose the position that it granted! Through God’s grace we have salvation for more than just “being saved”. We have salvation and God’s command to go out into all of our world and preach the gospel and fulfill the Great Commission.

 

• Matthew 28:18 says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
• Matthew 28:19 says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
• Matthew 28:20 says, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Q. Are we being obedient to that command?

A. When Jesus Christ speaks all things are possible if we’ll only believe. When you read the last word in verse 20 do you know what you read? When we say “Amen” we’re saying so be it meaning yes Lord it’s just as you say and I’ll act accordingly! Look at what Jesus taught in:

 

• Luke 6:46 says, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

 

It’s easy to say words but the proof is in the pudding sort of speak when our actions match wholeheartedly our words! When we say Lord, Lord we must realize what we’re saying. Lord was translated from the Greek word “kurios”  (koo’-ree-os) meaning supreme in authority! If we say Jesus Christ is Lord then we must be obedient to the One who has authority over us. That’s why Christ said some would call Him Lord but they would not enter into Heaven:

 

• Matthew 7:21 says, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
• Matthew 7:22 says, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
• Matthew 7:23 says, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

 

We can call Jesus Christ Lord, Lord all day long and until we follow Him obediently we have not placed Him on the throne. Until we walk hand in hand with Him we only “know of” Him we don’t “know” Him! Speaking of “knowing Him”:

 

• 1 John 2:1 says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
• 1 John 2:2 says, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
• 1 John 2:3 says, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”

 

My little children was translated from the Greek word “teknion” (tek-nee’-on) meaning an infant, fig. Christian converts. You and I are not to sin habitually but we can take comfort that in times that we fall short Christ’s Blood is still there. Verse 3 is why we came here for a topic today of obedience. Remember we were speaking of “knowing” the Lord. We looked at some who called Him Lord, Lord but they did not know Him they had worked iniquity (Matthew 7:23). Iniquity from the Greek means illegality, violation of law. To call Jesus Christ Lord we must put our faith in Him and work that faith because faith without works is dead faith! Hold your place and your mind here in 1 John and turn to the great book of James:

 

• James 2:17 says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
• James 2:18 says, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
• James 2:19 says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

 

The devil believes there is a God but they have no faith! If they had faith they would make Jesus Christ Lord and start a relationship with to get to know and understand His will for their lives!

 

• James 2:20 says, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”

 

Vain was translated from the Greek word “kenos” (ken-os’) meaning empty. Just as those in the Gospel of Matthew, who said Lord, Lord this man is empty. From the outside he professes to know the Lord but from the heart he is empty, no knowledge of Christ the “living Word”.

 

• James 2:21 says, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”
• James 2:22 says, “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”
• James 2:23 says, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”

 

To be someone’s friend you must “know” him or her and spend time personally in their presence! Abraham knew that God was a creator, a live giver not a destroyer! We must get to know God and our faith will grow stronger causing us to become more obedient! Abraham probably could not passed that test of faith 20 years earlier. He took one day at a time and grew into obedience as he got to know the Lord better and better!

 

• James 2:24 says, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

 

Praise God for His grace at the Cross-! We are saved by grace, by faith but if we have faith then we’ll work our faith with obedience!

 

• James 2:25 says, “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”

 

God Almighty always gives us a second witness to what He teaching us. Rahab could have said all day long that she believed in the God of Joshua but that would have been faith without works!

 

• James 2:26 says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

 

God just puts it where we can fully understand it! Just as when our spirit leaves our body at death if we’re not working what we’re possessing then our possession is dead! Let the Holy Spirit come into your life and give you a spiritual CPR boost back to life. Then pray to know the Father as you study His Word. Then the Spirit will touch you and give you something to work for Him, something that will be eternal.

Let’s go back to the epistle of John please:

 

• I John 2:3 again says, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
• 1 John 2:4 says, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

 

You’re a vessel and you can only hold one thing at any given time. To hold the truth, the Spirit of truth you must be cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb. Then your vessel, your temple is clean and the Spirit of God can dwell in you! You have heard that old adage “know that you know” we can say that if we’re obedient to the Word! The Spirit of truth can not be received by the world (once again hold your place in 1 John please):

 

• John 14:15 again says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
• John 14:16 says, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
• John 14:17 says, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

 

The world can’t receive the Spirit of truth because they do not know Him. To receive someone into your home you must “hear” the knock and then open the door.

 

• Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

 

It’s up to you and me, God Almighty has done His part we must do our part!

 

• 1 John 2:5 says, “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

 

Remember, earlier I taught that “obedience” is an issue of our hearts loving God Almighty! When we hear the Word and keep it our love is perfected meaning completed. Completed in the sense: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life and we accept that love and return it back to God!

 

• 1 John 2:6 says, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

 

It goes back to what we said earlier about our words and our actions should match. If we’re calling Jesus Christ Lord the One who is supreme in authority then we should keep His Word!

Q. How did Christ walk?

A. Jesus Christ walked in obedience of the will of God toward those without! God’s Word gives us the wisdom to walk in obedience. We must have His Spirit of truth or we’ll be deceived. Satan uses whoever and whatever he can to cause you to be disobedient! While we are here in the epistle of 1 John turn over to the fourth chapter please:

 

• 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

 

Just because someone comes to you into the name of Lord doesn’t mean anything. When they come to you in the power and the demonstration of the Spirit walking as Christ walked in obedience then and only then listen!

 

• 1 John 4:2 says, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:”

 

From Matthew 7:21 and Luke 6:46 we know this is more then a vocal confession. This confession is walking, living as Jesus Christ did in obedience walking to those who are without!

 

• 1 John 4:3 says, “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

 

In other word those who say Lord, Lord but walks not in obedience are deceivers! They are being used by Satan to take Jesus Christ’s place in your heart!

 

• 1 John 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

 

Don’t fear if you are trying and growing in the Lord He will protect you and keep you!

 

• 1 John 4:5 says, “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”

 

That’s why Jesus Christ taught us to be fruit inspectors! Look at their fruit and that will tell you what kind of seeds is in their soil, their heart! When someone loves the Lord they will speak mostly of Him and if they love the world they will speak of the world!

 

• 1 John 4:6 says, “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”
• 1 John 4:7 says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

 

False or erring spirits tell you just what the flesh wants to hear not the truth. Since God is love (next verse) if we’re born again from above begotten of Him we should now love! That love is what shows we are different from the worlds that love as fore stated enables our obedience! Love is more than a mere feeling it is an action! We know this from John 3:16 we quoted earlier. God had love enough for us to make a plan way of salvation and Christ loved enough to be obedient! Are your actions today showing forth God’s love and Jesus Christ’s obedience?

 

• 1 John 4:8 says, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

 

John through the unction of the Holy Spirit said God is love not love is God! Some think love is what makes you feel good at the time! Love does not change and our feeling from the flesh change so that previous thought must be false and of the deceiver! The world’s love is selfish while God’s love is selfless! Next verse shows that:

 

• 1 John 4:9 says, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
• 1 John 4:10 says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

 

Everything we have today is because the Lord God Almighty loves us! We have so much to give to those without if we’ll walk in obedience like Christ.

 

• 1 John 4:11 says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
• 1 John 4:12 says, “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

 

Here once again we see the way of God Almighty dwelling on the inside of us is only by love! We must complete that circuit of love as fore stated earlier. The world can see God’s saving grace because you are living and walking in His love with obedience!

 

• 1 John 4:13 says, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

 

That Spirit is the Spirit of truth that leads us and points us to the Lord and His truth:

 

• John 16:13 says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”
• John 16:14 says, “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.”
• John 16:15 says, “All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.”

 

The Spirit of truth teaches us, empowers us to love and to be obedient. Only by that Spirit can we fully understand our role, our mission in God’s plan of salvation! Back to 1 John please and we’ll see what our testimony should be:

 

• 1 John 4:14 says, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.”
• 1 John 4:15 says, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

 

Remember we have done covered how that confession comes forth. That confession spills forth in our daily lives as we live in God’s love and obedience!

 

• 1 John 4:16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

 

We have love but we must practice it so it will grow and become perfected, next verse:

 

• 1 John 4:17 says, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”

 

Our love is completed as we grow in faith like Abraham and know that God Almighty will take care of us.

 

• 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

 

The enemy is as a roaring lion trying to cause us to fear but his bark is worse than his bite! As long as we’re trying God counts it as perfect!

 

• 1 John 4:19 says, “We love him, because he first loved us.”
• 1 John 4:20 says, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
• 1 John 4:21 says, “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

 

God is the source of all love and only by Him purging us can we love more and more. Just as we felt God’s love by the drawing of the Holy Spirit we should show that love to others so they can be saved! Words are easy but love as we stated earlier is action. We can’t just go to church and say we love God and are done with it. If we neglect those without then we truly don’t love God we just love the form of religion. Let’s end with those who Christ told them to clean the inside of the cup meaning clean their hearts:

 

• Luke 11:39 says, “And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.”
• Luke 11:40 says, “Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?”

 

God knows all, He can read our very thoughts (Hebrews 4:12) so instead of acting a certain way let’s come to Him and let Him make us what He desires. Today will you go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to clean the inside of the cup, your heart and fill it with faith and love. That faith and love will enable you to live, as you desire like God Almighty! That faith and love will help you be obedient to God’s Word, God’s calling on your life!

 

GAP Ministries

‘REMEMBER GOD’S WORD WILL CHANG YOUR LIFE!”

 

12/10/01 2:45:53 PM